Best Whey Protein Powders in 2020 – Buying Guide & Reviews

Why is whey protein so popular? Milk whey is one of the best sources of complete proteins and is easily processed by the body. There are actually three types of whey protein, and before we present our picks for the best whey protein shakes in 2020, we’ll look at these important differences.

Optimal protein levels are important for muscle gain and maintaining an already great figure. Protein is important for many body processes and you can also use whey protein to lose weight. Most whey protein is generally safe for those with lactose intolerance or sensitivity, but we will also look at the best lactose free whey options.

Whey Protein Powders 101

Before we get into reviewing the best whey proteins in 2020, we’ll take a look what whey protein is, how it is produced, and what types of whey protein are available. 

What is Whey Protein?

If you are what you eat, then it would be wise to know exactly what whey protein is before you consume it. To get a clear picture, we need to look at the first step of cheese-making.

After the milking process, pure milk is poured into a big tank. Then acidic substances are added. This stage is called coagulation, after which casein, a milk protein, is curdled and pressed into a solid block. This block is then taken out and prepared for the cheese making process.

Milk curds after coagulation

• Casein: comprises 80% of the proteins in cow’s milk and between 20% and 45% of the proteins in human milk.

With the solids removed, what’s left is a liquid that we call ‘whey’. Manufacturers then process this whey to extract the proteins within it. This combination of proteins is called ‘whey protein’.

• Whey: comprises 20% of the proteins in cow’s milk and about 70% of the proteins in human milk.

What Types of Whey Protein Are There? 

There are 3 types of whey protein, which differ according to the degree of production processing:

• Concentrate: the result of drying whey after coagulation. Dried whey, or whey concentrate, contains a variety of proteins (80% of volume) and 20% fats and carbs.
• Isolate: the result of processing whey concentrate to reduce excess fats and carbohydrates. Whey isolate contains 90% proteins and 10% fats and carbohydrates.
• Hydrolysate: the result of processing either whey concentrate or whey isolate, to divide the protein structure into smaller parts. This is the easiest to digest of the three forms and is also called predigested whey.

Whey concentrate takes longer to be processed by the body and it also contains more micronutrients, various proteins and lactose. It is the best all-round whey for general supplementation and it also tastes much better than the other two varieties. 

Whey isolate, and hydrolysate, are often preferred by sports people or gym goers. These types of whey are also good for those on a calorie restricted diet and for people with extreme lactose intolerance. 

Reviews of research into the benefits of whey hydrolysate indicate that so far there are no conclusive results for improved muscle strength. Hydrolysate does speed up muscle repair recovery times and is beneficial for top athletes who take it in between competitive events. 

Having said that, hydrolyzed whey may be better for those with weaker digestion and it has even less lactose residue than whey isolate. But, when choosing either whey concentrate or whey isolate, you should consider your needs, especially what ratio of fats, carbohydrates and proteins is the best for you.

Whey and Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance isn’t a rare condition. Since whey and lactose are both found in milk, many people rightly worry whether consuming whey protein might trigger the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Whey and casein are both proteins, while lactose is a type of sugar. Although the three seem closely related, whey isolate (and hydrolysate) contains less than 1% of lactose and is generally safe for consumption for people with lactose sensitivity or intolerance.

However, if you want to know about any lactose residue in the product, you need to examine the nutrition label and verification(s) of the product. If you wish to know more, continue reading. 

Summary

Whey is a complete protein source, capable of providing all 9 essential amino acids (EEAs). Although whey and lactose are in milk, it’s generally safe for people with lactose intolerance to ingest whey. To be sure, check the label for relevant warnings. There are 3 types of whey protein: concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate. Hydrolysate is the easiest to digest.

Possible Benefits of Whey Protein Powders

While whey protein powders are potentially beneficially, their true value cannot be obtained if they are not used in the correct way. So, you need to choose the best one for your dietary needs or fitness program. 

1. Muscle Gain

When we lift weights or workout, our myofibrils are damaged. When we rest, our bodies repair the damage by fusing myofibrils to form thicker ones. This is called myofibrillar hypertrophy—basically muscle tear and repair. 

• Myofibrils: rod-like muscle fibers.
• Myofibrillar hypertrophy: a growth in size of muscle cells, leading to an increase of skeletal muscle.

Without exercise, muscle growth doesn’t happen. Meanwhile, the body naturally and gradually converts a small amounts of the muscle into energy. The result is that over time we have less muscle, even if our protein intake rises. What happens to this excess protein? It is excreted from our bodies. 

In short, protein powder has to work together with physical exercise to result in muscle growth.

2. Weight Loss

Protein shakes or whey protein shakes promote weight loss in two ways:

1. They make you feel satiated (full) for longer by altering the quantity of some digestive hormones.
2. They increase the body’s muscle mass (with the help of physical exercise), which enhances metabolism, helping us burn more fat.

Briefly put, whey protein also helps you lose weight, and the effect will be greater if used in combination with physical exercise. Studies on obese individuals have shown that whey protein is much more effective than soy protein in body fat reduction. 

Summary

Whey protein helps muscle weight gain, but ONLY in combination with physical exercise. Whey protein helps weight loss if consumed in moderation and in the correct way. 

Whey Protein Buying Guide

There was a lot of research and discussion that went into selecting these products. In the end, we managed to compile a list of criteria that we believe a good whey protein powder should meet.

1. Reliability

Although the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is the only governmental organization regulating supplements, they neither test nor approve products before they come onto the market. They enforce labeling regulations and investigate health concerns as they arise, so the immediate safety of products needs to be done by third party organizations. 

GMP and NSF are the most basic certifications for sanitary facilities and good manufacturing processes. Assurances from organizations such as Informed Choice, Labdoor, USP, or ConsumerLab will verification nutritional labeling. Many products may carry other seals that certify them organic, gluten free, vegan etc. You can see a full listing at the end of the reviews.

2. No Protein Spiking

Spiking is not a good thing. Protein spiking or “amino spiking” refers to the act of stuffing nonessential amino acids into a protein powder. This allows manufacturers to diminish the product’s quality, without consumers really catching on.

Surprisingly, protein-spiked products aren’t harmful, comply with FDA regulations and the ingredients are fully disclosed on the label. These products are, however, of poorer quality, allow the company to claim a higher protein gram content on the label but is often not worth the price.

So, here is how to tell whether or not your protein powder has been spiked. 

Check if the ingredient list contains isolated and added amino acids rather than whole food forms of protein. Also, check the label for an amino acid profile. Are all the essential amino acids (EAAs) listed? If not, then go on to the next product. If there are too many non-essential proteins, then maybe you should consider something else. Try to become familiar with the 9 EAAs: histidine, isoleucine (BCCA), leucine (BCCA), lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine (BCCA). 

• BCCAs – Branched Chain Amino Acids. These 3 of the 9 essentials are particularly important for building and maintaining muscle as well as reducing fatigue. 

Remember this hack: good products have good labels. If you have to search too hard, or need to read too much fine print to get essential information concerning ingredients and additives, the product is probably second rate. 

3. Other Factors

Other factors include flavor, texture, price, volume, and additives. In addition, some may prefer whey obtained from grass-fed cows. Since each product has its own unique properties, we will mention these as we discuss them in detail. All our selected products are free of artificial flavors and sweeteners. 

Summary

A third-party organization’s verification increases a product’s reliability. A clearly labeled profile of amino acids, which includes all essential amino acids, generally makes for a good whey protein powder.

Reviews of The Best Whey Protein Powders in 2020

Now that you have a clearer understanding of whey protein, feel free to make your own informed decision and to judge the merits of our best selection! We would love to hear your comments. 

1. JayRobb Whey Isolate Protein Powder – Best to Buy in 2020
2. NaturalForce Organic Whey Concentrate – Best Tasting Whey Powder
3. MuscleFeast Grass-fed Whey Isolate – Best Whey Isolate Protein
4. MuscleFeast Hydrolyzed Whey Protein – Best Whey for Muscle Building
5. Sascha Fitness Hydrolyzed Isolate – Best Whey Protein for Active Women
6. Ultimate Nutrition Whey Fat Burner – Best Whey Powder for Weight Loss
7. NakedWhey Grass-fed Protein Powder – Best All Purpose Whey Concentrate

1. Jay Robb Whey Isolate Whey Protein – Best to Buy in 2020

Jay Robb founded his first product line in 1980 and Jay Robb Protein in 1989. This is a well established brand with key verifications affirming its quality and purity. Whey isolate is a good choice for most because it suits sports people, people with lactose intolerance and sensitive digestion. This product tastes good for a whey isolate and also has a stevia free option. 

During our research, we had concerns that could not be resolved from only information on their website. So we reached out to them via email and they confirmed the following:

Reliability:

Jay Robb Whey Isolate is verified by Microbac and Labdoor.

Method of processing:

Their whey protein powder comes from milk that is flash-pasteurized (cold-processed) for approximately 15 seconds at 72° C (161° F). This causes very little denaturing of the raw materials. No further heat is applied at any other phase.

“This special process DOES NOT DENATURE the protein.”- they stressed.

• Denaturation: the process in which proteins lose their original structure by application of external stress (heat, radiation, acid, etc.) This can result in an insoluble form of protein chains (amino acids within the protein chain are not destroyed).

Type of whey: 

Isolate— the form of processed whey that is packed with 90% proteins.

JayRobb Protein Powders are free of: 

• Heavy metals
• Gluten
• GMOs
• Fat and cholesterol
• Added sugar
• Artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners

Taste and texture:

The powder mixes well with water, giving a solution with a similar taste and texture to milk. It comes in 4 flavors: chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and plain; but the flavored ones contain stevia, a natural sweetener, and some people find it to be a little strong. Their unflavored choice has no stevia.

Verdict

Whey isolate is better for active people, workouts and those who don’t want extra calories in their supplements. If you prefer a straight up whey concentrate, the best by far is our reviewed product below: Natural Force Organic Whey – Best Tasting Whey Protein.

2. Natural Force Organic Whey Concentrate – Best Tasting Whey Powder

Out of all the products reviewed here, this is the only one that satisfies the vast majority of people in terms of taste, texture and how easy it is to mix and drink. Natural Force Organic Whey, is the one all natural whey product that gets everybody’s lips smacking! 

Natural Force Organic whey concentrate is ranked as one of the best organic whey powders. Their product only includes three ingredients: pure whey concentrate, stevia and natural flavoring. 

This is not a unique approach, yet they produce a really great tasting protein powder! Part of this is due to the fact that higher processed whey produces a more bitter taste. However, Natural Force sources their whey from small-farm heritage-bred, pastured cows. Their A2 Jersey Cow milk is high quality and easier on the gut. 

Type of whey: 

Pure, organic, grass-fed whey concentrate. This type of whey provides more nutrients and carbs, and is a good general protein supplement. It can be taken in the morning, an hour before a workout or as a post-workout shake. 

Free of: 

• GMOs and hormones
• Artificial additives
• Added sugar
• Heavy metals
• Gluten and soy

Reliability:

This product is tested and guaranteed safe from heavy metals, gluten and soy allergens. Their product is packaged in a BPA-free, recyclable bag that uses 70% less plastic than tubs. They also have a special B-Corp certification for social and environmental impact.

What their customers say:

• “This is by far the best tasting and all organic.”
• “This is the best tasting protein powder I have tasted after trying numerous different ones over the years.”
• “I’ve been drinking protein powders for more than a decade and this is the best chocolate tasting protein I ever had.”
• “Best tasting protein powder ever. It smells great, it tastes great.”
• “This is the best tasting, highest quality, cleanest protein I have ever purchased.”

3. Muscle Feast Grass-fed Whey Isolate – Best Whey Isolate

Muscle Feast has one of the highest verified rankings for quality and is also Keto-friendly. It’s high level of filtration makes it generally safe for lactose sensitivity. If you have extreme lactose intolerance, then your best options are the hydrolyzed whey options discussed in the next review.

Muscle Feast protein powder is a high quality, straight up whey isolate with no added extras or small print ingredients to wade through. The whey is sourced from cows certified to be grass-fed and free from antibiotics and bovine growth hormones. 

Method of processing: 

This whey isolate is cold-pressed, cold-microfiltered and then put through an additional ultrafiltration process to remove impurities, including lactose. The protein is therefore unindentured so you get the ultimate benefit. 

Reliability:

One of the main reasons why we chose this brand is because it’s one of the three top ranking products for quality and label authenticity, as certified by Labdoor. It is also approved by the FDA, GMP and the World Anti-Doping Agency. 

Type of whey:

Whey isolate. Studies confirm whey isolate (90% protein) is one of the most effective proteins. Use this type of whey whether you are just a regular, keep-fit kind of person, an athlete or interested in weight loss. 

Free of:

• GMOs and hormones
• Gluten and soy
• Fillers and artificial additives
• Unflavored option free of stevia

Sweeteners and additives: 

While many artificial sweeteners are approved by the FDA, this is a controversial issue and for a product that you will be drinking everyday, it is better to side with nature. So, how does Muscle Feast deal with flavoring and sweeteners? In a very simple and practical way, and this is another reason why we support this product:

They have three flavors: chocolate and vanilla (which are the two most popular choices) and a completely unflavored option. The two flavored options use natural cocoa and vanilla respectively, with stevia as a sweetener. Some people, however, don’t like the taste of stevia, so they have an unflavored option which also has no stevia.

4. Muscle Feast Hydrolyzed Whey Protein – Best for Muscle Gain

Why have we chosen another Muscle Feast product? Because their products are clean with top ranking, independent certification. Therefore, you can have full trust in what you are putting into your body, and the simplicity of their products makes them an easy, uncomplicated choice. 

The manufacturing quality, purity of source and zero artificial additives, of this product is exactly the same as their Whey Isolate reviewed above. It also comes in three flavors: chocolate and vanilla with stevia, and an unflavored and unsweetened option with no stevia. 

Type of whey: 

Muscle Feast advertises their hydrolyzed state to be 12-15% which is considerably higher than other competing products. Hydrolyzed whey is also referred to as pre-digested because it is processed to a higher degree, breaking down the proteins into smaller amino acid chains or peptides.

 In this review, some research shows hydrolysates are metabolized faster than non-hydrolysate protein (when the protein is a slower digested source to begin with like casein), whereas other research is conflicting. Self-experimentation may help you determine if whey hydrolysate works better for you.

The recommended serving size of the hydrolyzed whey is also 4g more: 

Product →	Whey Isolate Unflavored 24g serving	Hydrolyzed Whey Unflavored 28g serving
Protein:	21.5g	23.5g
Calories:	89	115
Total Sugar: (no added)	0.1g	2.5g

Free of:

• GMOs and hormones
• Gluten and soy
• Fillers and artificial additives
• Unflavored option free of stevia

Whey Isolate vs Hydrolyzed Whey for muscle gain: 

Hydrolyzed whey is high in di-tripeptides which promotes protein synthesis. Because it is predigested, some research shows it’s absorption rate is faster and much higher. It is also more suitable for those with extreme lactose intolerance who want to use whey protein. 

Hydrolyzed whey may be the best option post workout as scientific studies (PDF) confirm that recovery rates are much better and faster after a heavy workout when hydrolyzed weight is consumed compared to isolate. This is its distinct advantage and not necessarily due to increased muscle gain. 

If you’re fine with longer recovery times, regularly build in rest days between strength workouts, or are looking for benefits like weight loss, the additional cost of hydrolysate may not be worth it – so use isolate. To keep muscle in an anabolic (growth) state longer, for example during sleep, a blended protein of whey, casein and egg is good. 

5. Sascha Fitness Whey Isolate – Best For Active Women 

Whey protein is whey protein so why would one product be necessarily better for women or more suitable for men? Because women, at the end of the day, may have different priorities to men, and this Sascha Whey Fitness Isolate does meet a few of these. 

Out of all the products targeting women that we tested and reviewed, every single one was either just a marketing and packing gimmick, a meal replacement rather than a protein power, or filled with artificial flavors and sweeteners.

What does a woman want? 

So, what are women looking for that men might overlook? And we’re not talking about pink packing with feminine names!

Women are often concerned about the ingredients. Are they all natural, or harmful in some way? We have that covered for everyone because all our reviewed products have no artificial additives.

Women worry about how much fat, carbohydrates and calories a product has. Also, women are more often diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and may therefore have more food intolerances or sensitivities. 

Type of whey: 

Hydrolyzed Isolate.

Why is Sascha whey isolate preferred by women? 

This Sascha whey isolate is very popular with sports and gym enthusiasts who prioritize strict weight control. Sascha Fitness has a 0g fat, 0g sugar, 0g carb and 0g lactose profile. 

0g sugar is important for another reason. After a good workout, the body will secrete growth hormones (GH) to repair the muscle. Many people prefer more slowly digested carbohydrate rather than added sugars, whether after a workout or otherwise, for various health reasons. This product keeps it simple, enabling anyone to add their own desired carbohydrates easily.

In addition, Sasha Fitness has added digestive enzymes- protease (protein digestion), lipase (fat digestion), amylase (carb digestion) and lactase (milk sugar digestion) to this product to aid digestion. However, since the exact amounts are not listed, they may be of limited potency.

This is an excellent product for building and maintaining lean muscle. Though the brand recommends for building muscle to take it twice a day, obtaining protein from your food is ideal. It you are trying to lose weight, you likely won’t need more than one serving a day. 

Free of:

• Lactose 
• Fat
• Sugars
• Artificial sweeteners
• GMOs and hormones

Reliability:

FDA and GMP certified facility. 

As for the taste, some people like it while others find it not so great. That’s the trade off with having an all natural product that uses stevia. The taste, however, is a lot less stevia sweet than the Muscle Feast product reviewed above. 

If you want a great tasting whey shake and require a general protein supplement as opposed to a sports supplement, then we recommend NaturalForce Organic Whey – Best Tasting Whey Protein.

6. Ultimate Nutrition Whey Fat Burner – Best For Weight Loss

Losing weight doesn’t need to be a losing battle against calories. Any victory requires good friends and allies, and weight loss is no different. Ultimate Nutrition doesn’t just dump you with the protein and a whey they go! They add a few extras for the journey such as natural appetite suppressants and probiotics.

Effective dieting is not just about calorie control. Ketogenic diets have been proven to be effective for weight loss in the short-term. Ketogenic dieting basically restricts your intake of carbohydrates, thus starving the body of glucose, an easy energy source, and the body will then break down dietary and body fats to release ketones to supply energy needs. 

“Generally, popular ketogenic resources suggest an average of 70-80% fat from total daily calories, 5-10% carbohydrate, and 10-20% protein. For a 2000-calorie diet, this translates to about 165 grams of fat, 40 grams of carbohydrate, and 75 grams of protein.” [1]

Type of whey: 

One reason we recommend Ultimate Nutrition Protein Fat Burner is that their protein (25g) is a blend of the three wheys: concentrate, isolate and hydrolyzed. This helps to burn fat and build muscle with faster recovery over a longer period of time. 

The blend of whey concentrate adds more fat (3g / 4%), and calories (140) and it contains monk fruit extract, a natural sweetener (2g sugar). 

Natural additives:

The other completely natural additives are a blend of green coffee, green tea, choline bitartrate and probiotics. These act to accelerate weight loss, suppress appetite, improve mood and support better digestion and gut health. It comes in two popular flavors: chocolate and vanilla. 

Reliability:

FDA and GMP certified facility. 

Free of:

• Heavy metals
• Artificial flavors
• Added sugar

7. Naked Nutrition Whey Protein – Best Whey Concentrate

NAKED Nutrition says that “We sell products with only the purest ingredients”. True, and many of their products only contain 1 ingredient. Naked Whey consists of only pure, grass-fed whey concentrate, and nothing else. 

Naked Nutrition is the perfect niche brand with a simple and original concept— which is a breath of fresh air in an over-complicated market! Minimum ingredients with no artificial anything. Their whey comes from grass-fed, pastured cows who enjoy the Californian sunshine 300 days per year for 19 hrs per day! 

Reliability:

Naked Whey Protein is verified by Informed-choice.org and Silliker.

Whey type:

Concentrate. Whey concentrate has its virtues and one of these is that is preserves micro and macro nutrients. Concentrate, therefore, always has more calories, fat, cholesterol, calcium and of course lactose. One could also argue that whey concentrate is a less wasteful use of resources. 

Method of processing: 

Naked Whey is made using the cold-processed method. In a recent email, they explained to us that the milk is flash-pasteurized at 163 °F for only 17 seconds. This is to assure a minimal amount of nutrients in the milk are compromised.

Free of: 

• Stevia
• Gluten
• GMOs
• Artificial everything

Despite these fine points, the product is yet to be popular for two reasons: pure concentrate doesn’t dissolve easily in water and the bare taste is not for everyone. For this reason you have to ‘dress your whey up’ in a shake or a smoothie. This simple whey, however, can be used in different creative ways as in this protein guacamole recipe:

They have an entire recipe section dedicated to the versatility of their minimalist supplement products, with a ton of interesting whey protein recipes too. We at HealthyKitchen101.com love a great recipe so why don’t you try a few yourself!

Top-rated Whey Protein Powders Comparison Chart

Product	Flavors	Processing method	Whey type	Verified
Jay Robb	4	Cold-pressed	Isolate	Microbac Labdoo
Natural Force	4	Cold-processed	Concentrate	Bcorp Heavy Metals Free
Muscle Feast	3	Cold-processed with ultrafiltration	Isolate	FDA GMP Labdoor
Muscle Feast	3	Cold-processed with 12-15% hydrolyzation	Hydrolysate	FDA GMP World Doping Agency
Sascha Fitness	3	Cold-processed with ultrafiltration	Hydrolysate	FDA GMP
Ultimate Nutrition	2	Cold-pressed	3-Whey Mix	FDA GMP
Naked Whey	5	Cold-processed	Concentrate	Informed Choice Heavy Metals Free

Third-party Organizations And Verifications